MUM TELLS OF RELIEF AFTER SON

A MUM whose teenage son went missing for six weeks says finding her boy alive is "a miracle".

- BY JACKIE ANNETT

Vandana Bhogowoth was told by police that 17-year-old Deante James had been discovered safe in hospital after this newspaper ran her story as part of our Missed campaign.

Overjoyed to know he is OK, she says: "I don't think I'll ever forget that day. It was probably one of the best days of my life.

"Oh my God, the emotions - I just burst out crying. I've never felt happiness like it. It was pure happiness - and relief."

The single mum thanked us and our sister paper the Mirror for running our Missed campaign, which she credits with helping to find him.

Bolted

Vandana, 36 - who prayed to God for help two days before hearing Deante was found on May 17 - says: "The publicity made the police take the case more seriously. I'm really thankful to everyone, also my local MP and the Missing People charity, who pushed the police to take it seriously and get him found.

"I think highlighting it did push them. Everyone collectively helped - thank you. I'm so grateful."

Deante went missing from his home in Enfield, North London, in March after smoking what he thought was a normal cannabis joint.

He was unaware that it contained the synthetic cannabinoid Spice, which can cause psychosis.

Deante, a normally ambitious boy who loved going to the gym, began hallucinating and hearing voices.

His worried family took him to hospital, where doctors had said he had signs of drug-induced psychosis.

He received treatment and was on the mend, but back at home he had another episode and on March 31 bolted out of the back door without his mobile phone or any money.

Six weeks passed before he was found. Just as Vandana was losing hope, the police called to say he was safe and in hospital.

Angry

He had been admitted on April 6, but had told staff he was 18, and his parents were not traced.